A father-of-two is singing the praises of our A&E, claiming care he received on a busy afternoon was more efficient than Japan.

Robert Hughes, 49, of Birchencliffe, suffers a serious condition called Hepatic Encephalopathy, as well as cirrhosis of the liver, and has needed hospital treatment in countries such as the USA, Germany, and Japan.

But after admitting himself to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary with a hernia, he was examined and operated on within hours on the same day a picture showed corridors congested with patients waiting.

Now Robert has used his experience to show why our town needs its A&E.

Robert’s conditions mean he is unable to process toxins easily and is more prone to various conditions affecting the liver. After feeling unwell last Monday, he was advised by a doctor to go straight to hospital.

But despite being told on arrival that the department was suffering one of the busiest days doctors had experienced in years, Robert was given an immediate operation.

After spending 20 years living in Massachussets, USA, working for a German company, Robert says he has needed hospital treatment in the States, Germany and even Japan, but none compared to the service at Huddersfield.

Robert Hughes, who has nothing but praise for the HRI after his recent operation.

“It was right up there”, he said. “I was extremely impressed with how calm they were and how they seamlessly transitioned through everything, especially considering it was extremely busy that day.

“I don’t know why in particular, but there were people in wheelchairs sat in the corridors because it was so busy.”

Robert, who moved back to Huddersfield last year due to his health, was told by doctors an immediate operation was needed on the hernia, with Robert coming round from the operation at about 7pm after being admitted at lunchtime that day.

He said: “We are so lucky to have this department in Huddersfield and I really don’t know what we would do if it went, as it has been proposed.

“I had to drive to the hospital myself, but I don’t know how bad things would have gotten if I’d had to go on to Calderdale.”